Summary
Orthopaedic staples were used to stabilise corrective closing wedge osteotomies of
the distal radius in four dogs with forelimb angular deformity. External coaptation
was used for four to six weeks. All of the dogs had excellent limb function and cosmetic
appearance of the limb. Evidence of implant failure was not observed. Surgical staples
were a reliable implant for the stabilisation of radial wedge osteotomies, and particularly
useful in cases where the osteotomy is distally located resulting in a short distal
radial fragment.
Four dogs with premature closure of the distal ulnar growth plate or lateral aspect
of the distal radial physis were treated by corrective radial cuneiform osteotomies
which were stabilised with orthopaedic surgical staples and short term external coaptation.
All of the dogs had an excellent functional and cosmetic result.
Keywords
Physeal closure - radial wedge osteotomy - surgical staples